Automatic Top-Up Tap For Pools

ABSTRACT

A pool top-up tap comprises a conduit from a rain water supply which tops up the pool and a valve assembly which closes off the conduit when the water in the pool reaches a predetermined level. The conduit may supply rain water to an intermediate pool side reservoir which tops up the pool and has an integrated valve assembly which shuts off the water from the reservoir when the water in the pool reaches a predetermined level.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices for automatically topping up the levelof pools and in particular swimming pools where water is supplied from astorage tank or a rain water diversion device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of devices have been developed to automatically top up thelevel of pools. For example U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,817 teaches an auxiliarytank in communication with a pool which has an automatic fill device andan overfill drain, the height of which can be simultaneously adjusted.US 2004/0118203 discloses a capacitive liquid sensing device and awireless system to activate a water supply.

WO 03/095769 employs a water delivery system controlled by electronics.A sensor and processor enclosed in a pool pump and filter compartmentwhich keeps the pool free of wires, pipes and accessories. U.S. Pat. No.5,878,447 teaches a transmitter connected to a water level sensor and areceiver assembly connected to a water fill valve, which operates tomaintain a predetermined pool level.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,657 discloses a chamber in communication with a poolwhich has a vertically oriented water supply line with a diaphragm valvesurrounded by an annular float and an adjustable overflow tube, thevalve being actuated by a height adjustable overhead actuator bar. U.S.Pat. No. 3,908,206 teaches a tank in communication with an above groundpool with a water supply line connected to a float valve in the tank.The level in the tank and thereby the pool can be established andmaintained at any desired height by raising or lowering the tank inaccordance with calibrated indicia.

All of the above can be relatively complicated and difficult tomanufacture, install, operate and maintain. There is therefore a needfor an improved automatic top-up tap for pools.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a top uptap for pools, which is simpler than the prior art or at least providesa useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention a pool top-up tap comprises a conduitfrom a rain water supply which tops up the pool and a valve assemblywhich closes off the conduit when the water in the pool reaches apredetermined level.

Alternatively, the conduit supplies rain water to a pool side reservoirwhich tops up the pool and has an integrated valve assembly which shutsoff the water from the reservoir when the water in the pool reaches apredetermined level.

In one embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a float attached to anarm pivoted to the conduit and a stopper mounted on the arm which closesoff the conduit when the float rises.

Alternatively, the valve assembly comprises a float attached to an armpivoted on the reservoir which operates a valve to close off the waterentering the pool when the water in the pool reaches a predeterminedlevel.

In one embodiment, the conduit has a tee section upstream from the valveassembly which allows the flow to be diverted to an overflow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a pool top-up tap;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of FIG. 1 with a different valve system;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a partially revealed elevation view of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The top up taps of both embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 aresupplied from a pipe 1 connected to a water storage tank or a diverterwhich diverts rainwater from the down pipes of a roof. Pipe 1 isrestrained at the side of the pool 2 by a water filled container 3 anddirected vertically into the pool 2 and attaches to a float and ballvalve assembly 4.

The housing of assembly 4 is cylindrical and connects to pipe 1 at thetop and is open to the pool water at the bottom. Float 5 is retained inthe assembly by pin 15 and moves upward in assembly 4 to force ball 6against the opening of hose 1 thus closing off the flow when the wateris at a predetermined level.

There is also a Tee section 7 in pipe 1 which allows water from pipe 1to overflow at 8 when ball 6 closes off pipe 1. Alternatively valve, 9can be closed and the flow from pipe 1 stopped. The whole system isdesigned for the high volume low pressure flows which come from rainwater catchment systems.

The valve system of FIG. 1 can be replaced by the alternative embodimentshown in FIG. 2. A free float 10 is attached to arm 11 which is pivotedto collar 12 fixed on pipe 1 so that when float 10 moves upwards. Arubber stopper mounted on arm 11 closes off pipe 1. Once again the flowin pipe 1 is diverted to overflow 8 if valve 9 is open or is stoppedaltogether if valve 9 is closed.

FIGS. 3 & 4 show a further embodiment where the float valve isintegrated with reservoir 23. Float 20 is attached to arm 21 which ispivoted to bracket 22 mounted on top of reservoir 23 and operates valve24 to release water from reservoir 23 when float 20 falls. When float 20rises to the desired water level, the valve 24 closes.

It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way ofillustrative example only and that all other modifications andvariations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemedto fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein setforth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification thewords “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and“comprising” are not intended to exclude other additive components,integers or steps.

1. A pool top-up tap, comprising: a conduit from a rain water supplywhich tops up the pool; and, a valve assembly which closes off theconduit when the water in the pool reaches a predetermined level.
 2. Thetap of claim 1 in which the conduit supplies rain water to a pool sidereservoir which tops up the pool and has an integrated valve assemblywhich shuts off the water from the reservoir when the water in the poolreaches a predetermined level.
 3. The tap of claim 1 in which the valveassembly comprises a float attached to an arm pivoted to the conduit anda stopper mounted on the arm which closes off the conduit when the floatrises.
 4. The tap of claim 2 in which the valve assembly comprises afloat attached to an arm pivoted on the reservoir which operates a valveto close off the water entering the pool when the water in the poolreaches a predetermined level.
 5. The tap of claim 1 in which theconduit has a tee section upstream from the valve assembly which allowsthe flow to be diverted to an overflow.